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JRE 8 Update 171 is not required in Web Help Desk (WHD) 2026.1

This article clarifies whether Oracle Java JRE 8 Update 171 (8u171) is still a required component after upgrading to SolarWinds Web Help Desk (WHD) 2026.1. In WHD 2026.1, WHD runs using OpenJDK 11 (with WHD’s internal JVM configuration), so legacy JRE 8 installations are not required for WHD itself and may be removed after confirming nothing else on the server depends on them.

First published date

4/10/2026 5:21 PM

Last published date

4/10/2026 5:51 PM

Overview

An audit may show JRE 8 Update 171 still installed on the WHD server, leading to questions about security/compliance and whether it must remain installed.

For WHD 2026.1, the supported Java runtime is Microsoft OpenJDK 11.0.28 per system requirements.

Because WHD 2026.1 uses OpenJDK 11 and an internal JVM configuration, JRE 8u171 is not required for WHD operations and can be removed if no other applications require it.

Product section

Web Help Desk

Cause

This is expected after upgrades or server lifecycle changes: older Java components may remain installed even though WHD 2026.1 does not require them.

WHD 2026.1 system requirements specify Microsoft OpenJDK 11.0.28 as the Java requirement.

Resolution

These steps will help you confirm WHD is using OpenJDK 11 (not JRE 8u171) and then safely remove JRE 8u171 only if it is not required by other applications.

Prerequisites

Validate that no other applications on the server depend on JRE 8u171 before removing it.

Step 1: Confirm the WHD Java version in the WHD UI

Log in to WHD as an administrator.
Navigate to Setup > General > System Information.
Record the Java Version and Java home path (this confirms what WHD is actually using).

Expected outcome: WHD shows it is using OpenJDK 11 (WHD 2026.1 system requirements list Microsoft OpenJDK 11.0.28).

Step 2: Remove JRE 8u171 (only after validation)

After you confirm WHD is using OpenJDK 11 and you have validated no other applications require JRE 8u171, uninstall/remove JRE 8 Update 171 from the server.

Expected outcome: WHD continues to operate normally because WHD 2026.1 relies on OpenJDK 11 rather than JRE 8u171.

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